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Effect of Speed limits on speed and safety: A review

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  • Chester G. Wilmot
  • Mandar Khanal

Abstract

This paper draws on the results of studies conducted around the world on the effect of speed limits on speed and safety. It is observed that, generally, motorists do not adhere to speed limits but instead choose speeds they perceive as acceptably safe. Perceptions of safety are influenced by the environment in which travel takes place such as whether the road is a controlled access facility, the nature of adjoining land use, the geometry of the road and existing weather conditions. The relationship between speed and safety is influenced by factors such as the type of road, driver age and vehicle safety devices. Research shows that speed cannot be linked statistically to the incidence of accidents, although it is statistically significant in accident severity. If speed limits are increased only on controlled-access facilities, while retaining lower speed limits on other facilities, system-wide safety may not be adversely affected. The main benefits of increasing speed limits seem to be in improving their credibility with the public and regaining control of speed behaviour on highways.

Suggested Citation

  • Chester G. Wilmot & Mandar Khanal, 1999. "Effect of Speed limits on speed and safety: A review," Transport Reviews, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(4), pages 315-329, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:transr:v:19:y:1999:i:4:p:315-329
    DOI: 10.1080/014416499295420
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Mercedes Castro-Nuno & José I. Castillo-Manzano & Diego J. Pedregal-Tercero, 2013. "The Speed Limits Debate: Is Effective A Temporary Change? The Case Of Spain," ERSA conference papers ersa13p160, European Regional Science Association.
    2. Ang, Amanda & Christensen, Peter & Vieira, Renato, 2020. "Should congested cities reduce their speed limits? Evidence from São Paulo, Brazil," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    3. Castillo-Manzano, José I. & Castro-Nuño, Mercedes & Pedregal-Tercero, Diego J., 2014. "Temporary speed limit changes: An econometric estimation of the effects of the Spanish Energy Efficiency and Saving Plan," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 44(S1), pages 68-76.
    4. Jan Kunkler & Maximilian Braun & Florian Kellner, 2021. "Speed Limit Induced CO 2 Reduction on Motorways: Enhancing Discussion Transparency through Data Enrichment of Road Networks," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-22, January.
    5. Thiedig, Johannes, 2018. "An economic cost-benefit analysis of a general speed limit on German highways," Discussion Papers 2018/17, Free University Berlin, School of Business & Economics.
    6. Jinliang Xu & Wenzhen Lv & Chao Gao & Yufeng Bi & Minghao Mu & Guangxun E, 2022. "Why Do Drivers’ Collision Avoidance Maneuvers Tend to Cause SUVs to Sideslip or Rollover on Horizontal Curve and Grade Combinations?—An Analysis of the Causes Based on a Modified Multibody Dynamics Mo," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-21, November.
    7. Jin, Jangik & Rafferty, Peter, 2021. "How the speed limit policy affects travel speed?: Quasi-experimental approach," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 2-10.
    8. Kristoffersson, Ida & Große, Christine & Olsson, Leif, 2024. "Traffic safety versus accessibility: Investigating resistance against speed limit reductions," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    9. Frank Y. Huang & Po-Chun Huang, 2024. "Enhancing Urban Traffic Safety: An Evaluation on Taipei's Neighborhood Traffic Environment Improvement Program," Papers 2401.16752, arXiv.org, revised Feb 2024.
    10. Laurène Petitfour & Emmanuel Bonnet & Isadora Mathevet & Aude Nikiema & Valéry Ridde, 2021. "Out-of-pocket payments and catastrophic expenditures due to traffic injuries in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso," Health Economics Review, Springer, vol. 11(1), pages 1-10, December.
    11. L. Petitfour & Emmanuel Bonnet & I. Mathevet & A. Nikiema & Valéry Ridde, 2021. "Out-of-pocket payments and catastrophic expenditures due to traffic injuries in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso," Post-Print hal-03830894, HAL.
    12. Giles, Margaret J., 2004. "Driver speed compliance in Western Australia: a multivariate analysis," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 11(3), pages 227-235, July.

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